Sarunas Marciulionis makes Basketball Hall of Fame

Former Warriors star and Lithuanian legend Sarunas Marciulionis won direct election into the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame and will be enshrined with the class of 2014.

Marciulionis, who averaged 14.7 points per game from 1989-93 for the Warriors as part of a seven-year NBA career, was elected by the international committee for enshrinement in August.

The first Soviet player in the NBA, Marciulionis helped resurrect the Lithuanian national team, which won bronze medals at the 1992 and 1996 Olympic Games.

Marciulionis could be joined in the Hall of Fame by former Warriors teammates Tim Hardaway and Mitch Richmond, who were named as finalists to be considered for election along with former Cal star and current Sacramento Mayor Kevin Johnson.

Other finalists eligible for election to the Class of 2014 are former NBA stars Alonzo Mourning and Spencer Haywood, former college coaches Nolan Richardson, Eddie Sutton and Gary Williams, Immaculata University's AIAW national championship teams of the early 1970s and AAU national champion coach Harley Redin.

The Class of 2014 will be announced at the NCAA Final Four in April.

Also named to the Hall on Friday was recently retired NBA commissioner David Stern, who was elected by the contributors committee. Others directly elected were former Indiana Pacers coach Bob "Slick" Leonard, former New York Knicks player Nat "Sweetwater" Clifton and former Warriors point guard Guy Rodgers.

Advertisement

Warriors legend and ambassador Alvin Attles was selected to receive the John W. Bunn Lifetime Achievement Award by the Hall of Fame after more than 50 years with the team in various roles.

"He impacted the lives of so many as a player, coach, ambassador and executive during his NBA tenure," John L. Doleva, the Hall of Fame's president and CEO, said in a statement.

Obama a Curry fan: All-Star Stephen Curry has a fan in President Barack Obama, who offered high praise to the Warriors guard for his shooting ability.

"I gotta tell you, Curry is the best shooter I have ever seen," Obama told TNT's Charles Barkley in a portion of a taped interview released Friday. "I believe that.

"In terms of being able to, you know, off the dribble get his shot off from anywhere that fast, best I've ever seen."

The comments from Obama, who has said Michael Jordan was his favorite player, aired on the eve of Curry's participation in the 3-point contest during NBA All-Star weekend in New Orleans. Curry received more fan votes than any other NBA guard, earning him a spot in the starting lineup for Sunday's game.

"Having been close last year and now a year later to be not only here but starting is definitely a dream come true," Curry told reporters. "It's all sinking in now that I'm actually here in New Orleans and going through the whole process of the weekend. So I'm excited and ready to get to practice tomorrow and get on the court and have some fun."

Rising Stars Challenge: The Warriors' Harrison Barnes scored 16 points in 23 minutes for Team Hill in its 142-136 victory over Team Webber.

Detroit Pistons power forward Andre Drummond, drafted two spots after Barnes in 2012, had 30 points and 25 rebounds for Team Hill.

Oakland's Lillard added five rebounds and five assists in the victory, making him 1 for 1 during the busiest All-Star weekend ever. Last season's NBA Rookie of the Year will take part in five events, three more on All-Star Saturday and the All-Star game Sunday.

Tim Hardaway Jr. led all scorers with 36 points for Team Webber, picked by former Warrior Chris Webber.

Staff writer Diamond Leung and The Associated Press contributed to this report.